Synthesis of iron(II) complexes with asymmetric N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> coordinating Schiff base-like ligands and their spin crossover properties

The synthesis of new Schiff base-like ligands with asymmetric substituents pattern and their iron complexes with pyridine as axial ligand is described. Two of the ligands and one of the iron(II) complexes were characterized by single crystal X-ray structure analysis. One of the the iron(II) complexes shows spin crossover behavior while the others remain in the high spin state. The influence of the reduced symmetry of the ligand on the properties of the complexes is discussed.

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Acid Extraction from Liquid Phase Pyrolysis Oil Using Cyanex®923 and Subsequent Solvent Regeneration

Liquid phase pyrolysis (LPP) oil, an intermediate from biofuel production using second‐generation biomass, is a promising source of biobased platform chemicals like acetic acid, however, displaying a complex, multicomponent mixture. Reactive extraction with Cyanex®923 was investigated for selective recovery of acids and subsequent solvent regeneration in distillation at 200 mbar. In a three‐stage extraction 81 % of acids were removed from the LPP oil without loss of Cyanex®923 to the raffinate. Solvent regeneration efficiency of acids was up to 99.7 % with mainly acids and water in the distillate.     

Empirische Methodologien und Methoden der angewandten und der empirischen Ethik

Definition of the problem This paper deals with the question of adequate methodologies and methods to conduct empirical research and integrate empirical knowledge in the field of biomedical ethics. Arguments It starts with reflections about the main subject matter of ethics, the human being as a bio-psycho-social creature and its morals, and argues that social sciences are the adequate basic empirical science in the field of ethics in general. The next paragraph considers theory of science perspectives of the relationship of ethics, empirical findings, methodologies and theories and examples of the integration of empirical findings into ethical deliberations. Reasons for the tension between social science and ethics are scrutinized which are different in the yet to be defined field of empirical ethics compared to traditional applied ethics. Conclusion How a bio-psycho-social ethics that incorporates these criteria into its own body of work could look like is finally depicted.     

Digital PCR Panel for Sensitive Hematopoietic Chimerism Quantification after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation

Accurate and sensitive determination of hematopoietic chimerism is a crucial diagnostic measure after allogeneic stem cell transplantation to monitor engraftment and potentially residual disease. Short tandem repeat (STR) amplification, the current “gold standard” for chimerism assessment facilitates reliable accuracy, but is hampered by its limited sensitivity (≥1%). Digital PCR (dPCR) has been shown to combine exact quantification and high reproducibility over a very wide measurement range with excellent sensitivity (routinely ≤0.1%) and thus represents a promising alternative to STR analysis. We here aimed at developing a whole panel of digital-PCR based assays for routine diagnostic. To this end, we tested suitability of 52 deletion/insertion polymorphisms (DIPs) for duplex analysis in combination with either a reference gene or a Y-chromosome specific PCR. Twenty-nine DIPs with high power of discrimination and good performance were identified, optimized and technically validated. We tested the newly established assays on retrospective patient samples that were in parallel also measured by STR amplification and found excellent correlation. Finally, a screening plate for initial genotyping with DIP-specific duplex dPCR assays was designed for convenient assay selection. In conclusion, we have established a comprehensive dPCR system for precise and high-sensitivity measurement of hematopoietic chimerism, which should be highly useful for clinical routine diagnostics.     

Error training: Replication and the function of exploratory behavior

A study of 30 psychology students replicated and extended the findings of Frese et al. (1991) on the superiority of error training, a procedure in which trainees are exposed to many errors. The hypothesis was that error training would lead to exploration and this would increase performance. The error training group performed better than the group that received training in which they were not allowed to make any errors. Students in both the error training and the error avoidant groups performed better if they explored. Exploration was done in contrast to the instruction in the error avoidant group. The data suggest that it is necessary to look into the question of whether errors instigate exploration.     

A local and global tour on MOMoT

Software and Systems Modeling - Many model transformation scenarios require flexible execution strategies as they should produce models with the highest possible quality. At the same time,...     

Signaturen durch elektronische Agenten

Elektronische Agenten können auf sämtlichen Stufen elektronischer Geschäftsprozesse eingesetzt werden, wodurch die Transaktionskosten gesenkt und der elektronische Geschäftsverkehr insgesamt beschleunigt und vereinfacht wird (vgl. [30], S. 548).     

Knowledge and information awareness for initiating transactive memory system processes of computer-supported collaborating ad hoc groups

This paper presents an innovative approach for initiating processes of a transactive memory system in newly formed groups of experts collaborating computer-supported in a complex problem-solving task. Our empirical study compared 15 experimental and 15 control groups, each consisting of triads. In the experimental condition, the triads were provided with a tool for fostering knowledge and information awareness, that is, being informed about the knowledge and the underlying information of the collaboration partners in form of digital concept maps. In the control condition, the groups had no access to this tool. Results confirmed the potential of the tool to initiate processes of a transactive memory system: shared agreement of the knowledge of the other group members’ knowledge proved to influence group performance positively. In addition, previous findings of the tool’s potential to establish knowledge and information awareness and to augment group performance could be replicated. However, the postulated mediating effect of processes of a transactive memory system concerning the impact of knowledge and information awareness on group performance did not reach statistical significance. Aspects for future studies and implications of these findings regarding their practical implementation, for example, in teams of organizations, are discussed.